Fall Squash: A Seasonal Staple

Autumn has officially arrived, which means one thing: Fall squash is here and ready to shine! Your neighborhood Food Town is ready to make your squash dreams come true with an impressive selection of fresh, colorful produce that can be used in a variety of seasonal recipes and decorations.

Fall Squash Selections
There are more than two dozen types of squash, many of which you can find year-round at your neighborhood grocery. Here are some essential fall squash varieties:

• Acorn Squash: This variety gets its name from its looks, as it resembles an acorn from a tree. Unlike some types of squash, this variety has a slightly savory flavor, which makes it an ideal addition to holiday sides such as stuffing. 
• Butternut Squash: Perfect for soups, stews and even risotto, butternut squash is one of the most popular autumn varieties because it has a slightly sweet flavor that complements many ingredients used in fall cooking.
• Pumpkin: You might be wondering why the pumpkin made it onto the list, but it is actually part of the squash family. The next time you bake a pumpkin pie or make some flavorful pumpkin soup, you can thank your lucky squashes that this fall favorite is such an integral part of the season. 

Choosing the Best Squash
Whether you’re embarking on a day full of fall-flavored baking or you’re in the mood for a warm and hearty soup, it all starts with choosing the right squash from your neighborhood grocery. Avoid any squash that is bruised or visibly damaged with cracks or soft spots. Instead, look for squash that feels heavy when you pick it up and still has an intact stem. Reach for the ones with full, rich colors. A couple of pale spots are OK, but try to avoid any squash that is still green, as it will not be fully ripe. You’ll find a great selection of fresh, ripe squash all season at your neighborhood Food Town!

Decorating with Squash
If you’re a big fall fan, you probably like decorating for the season long before preparing your Thanksgiving table. If that’s the case, you might want to incorporate some live fall squash into your autumn decor. Since squash is so versatile and has a long shelf life, the possibilities are nearly endless when it comes to using them as decor. You can make vases out of butternut squash, create a colorful fall wreath or just use any leftover squash to visually enhance your holiday table setting. Interested in edible decorations? Check out our Pumpkin Fun Pinterest board!

Whether eating or decorating, you’ll find the best selection of fresh squash at your neighborhood Food Town. We’ll see you there!